Cordless tools have been around for decades, but the technology is constantly evolving. They offer portability, convenience, and access to a wide ranges of devices to make any project go smoothly.

Overall, Milwaukee stands out as having the highest quality tools, but at a much bigger cost. DeWalt offers reasonable quality at a good price, while Makita features truly unique options. If you already own a certain brand of tools, the best advice is to stick with that brand. DeWalt tools are generally the best value per dollar, while Milwaukee is best for heavy-duty or high-demand applications. Many professionals simply try these tools out till they find the brand they prefer, then stick with that brand for all their tool needs.

Electrical repairs are best left to the professionals, but you have to know what you’re looking for in an electrician to be sure you have the right person for the job. It can seem tricky, but here a few tips for making sure you’re hiring a professional you can trust.

A good electrician will be upfront about their licensing information and the type of work they are permitted to complete under that license. You could be held responsible for hiring the wrong type of electrician. Even if things appear to go smoothly, you can’t be sure you electrician was trained for the job he or she just completed.

It’s important to make certain your electrician is insured. You can always ask to review insurance policies to check that they are current and will cover the type of work you are asking to have done.

Make sure that the electrician you are hiring has experience with a similar assignment. If they have completed projects like yours, check to see they come recommended by former clients.

Often you can get an estimate from an electrician based on the job as you describe it. Invite them to see the space, and describe in the best detail you can what you would like to have happen. While some electricians do upcharge in the process, sometimes their legitimate estimates are too low because of how the job or location has been described during an estimate.

Ask for an estimate and a breakdown of the costs from more than one electrician. It will help you get a better understanding of what to expect from the process and you’ll be able to see which electrician is offering the fairest price for both parts and labor.

A significant number of homes in Baltimore and Bethesda, MD, Alexandria, VA, and Washington, DC built between the mid-1960s and the first half of the 1970s have hazardous aluminum wiring rather than copper. During that time, aluminum wiring was considered safe to use and viewed as a cost-saving measure. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) now believes aluminum wiring poses a safety hazard in homes that still have this type of wiring.

The biggest danger associated with aluminum wiring is that unanticipated fire hazards arise from the oxidation and deterioration caused at the points where aluminum wiring is connected at outlets, light fixtures, and splices. While this can cause overheating and arching that won’t trip a circuit breaker, it can cause a fire. Aluminum wiring was used in an estimated 2 million homes between 1965 and 1973—and many of these homes are located in the MD, VA, and DC area.

If you’re concerned about dangerous aluminum wiring, pay attention to the following warning signs:

All of these signs indicate a potential fire hazard for standard aluminum wiring.

Aluminum wiring should be thoroughly evaluated by a qualified electrician who is experienced in inspecting and correcting wiring problems. The CPSC recommends a few methods for correction. The first is to rewire the home with copper wire, an expensive option that really only makes sense if the homeowner is already in the process of completely remodeling or doing deep renovations. The second option is to use the Copalum crimp method to correct the problem. This involves attaching a piece of copper wire to the existing aluminum wire with a specially designed metal sleeve and powered crimping tool. It is a permanent repair option that will eliminate the dangers posed by aluminum wiring. A third option is to use a UL listed copper to aluminum connector to attach a copper wire to the existing aluminum wire.

Only an experienced electrician can accurately determine the level of danger a home with aluminum wiring faces, and then fix the problem in an efficient, timely manner.

If your home has aluminum wiring, we recommend that you call Kolb Electric or contact us online. We will send one of our expert electricians out to evaluate the aluminum wiring in your home to determine the best option to make your home as safe as possible. We’ve been serving Baltimore and Bethesda, MD as well as Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC since 1925. You can count on our experienced electricians to get the job done right the first time.